After testing everyone, the Aptitude Examiner walked over to the group, took out two jade tokens, and handed them to Chu Qingyao and Chu Qingyu. Carved on the front of the tokens were the four large characters for “Zhuyu Academy,” and on the back were their names and places of origin.
“These are the enrollment identity tokens for Zhuyu Academy. With these tokens, the two of you may enroll and study free of charge. Please report to the academy within seven days; once the deadline passes, your qualification to enroll will be revoked.”
Chu Qingyao took the token, her brows furrowing slightly. “Where is my brother’s token? His Immaculate Fox can grow to Tier Three; by rights, he should also be qualified to enroll.”
Judging by past years’ experience, that was indeed the case. For a remote little town like Qingwu Town, finding even two Spirit Lords capable of growing to Tier Three was already no easy matter, and in some years, not a single person met the requirement.
Who could have imagined that the town would produce four children who met the conditions this year, two of whom even possessed Mid-Tier Spirit Master aptitude?
Unfortunately, Zhuyu Academy had only allotted two enrollment places to Qingwu Town, so Chu Shaoye and Wang Zekai, whose aptitudes were considerably lower by comparison, were passed over.
Not only was Chu Shaoye’s Immaculate Fox low in tier, its combat strength could hardly be called strong either; it could not compare at all with Chu Qingyao’s Rainbow-Robed Luan or Chu Qingyu’s Jade Bamboo Viper.
The Aptitude Examiner explained the reason to them. After hearing him out, Chu Qingyao placed her jade token straight back into the examiner’s hand. “Since my brother has no chance to go to school, I won’t go either.”
Seeing her do this, Chu Qingyu hesitated briefly, then pressed her own jade token back into his hand as well. “Th-then I won’t go either.”
Ever since Chu Qingyu’s father passed away, the village chief’s family had helped her and her mother more times than could be counted. Chu Wangshan always took Liu Qian’s embroidery into town to sell at the shops, while Chu Shaoye often shared his game with them. Their help had kept the mother and daughter from starving.
Chu Qingyu pressed her lips together, made up her mind, and said firmly to the Aptitude Examiner, “I won’t go. Give the place to Brother Chu, and let Yaoyao and Brother Chu go to school together.”
Holding the jade tokens, the Aptitude Examiner shook his head in helpless amusement. This was the first time he had ever encountered anyone eager to give up an enrollment opportunity. If they were children of ordinary aptitude, it would have been one thing, but both Chu Qingyao and Chu Qingyu had very fine aptitude; if they did not go to school, it would truly be far too great a pity.
Chu Shaoye had not expected the two girls to do such a thing and immediately stepped forward. He first chided Chu Qingyao for being foolish, then bowed to the Aptitude Examiner.
“My younger sister does not know any better; please forgive her, Honored Spirit Lord. Both Yaoyao and Qingyu will report to the academy on time.” This story is hosted at g.com.
Chu Qingyao still wanted to say something, but Chu Shaoye glared at her, his expression clearly displeased. He had always been a gentle, good-tempered older brother, so on the rare occasions when he grew angry, he was even more intimidating than Chu Wangshan.
Chu Qingyao did not dare say anything more and could only pout and swallow her words.
Seeing the matter settled, the Aptitude Examiner admired the youth even more. He handed the Identity Jade Tokens back to Chu Qingyao and Chu Qingyu, then looked at Chu Shaoye and nodded in satisfaction.
To lose the qualification to enroll in Zhuyu Academy yet take it in stride, remaining calm, level-headed, and free of jealousy—he was truly promising material.
The Aptitude Examiner said, “Although I cannot make an exception and give you an enrollment place at Zhuyu Academy, I have some connections in Crimson Firmament Sect. I can write you a letter of introduction so that you may serve as a Menial Disciple in Crimson Firmament Sect. Are you willing to go?”
Crimson Firmament Sect was a power neighboring Zhuyu City, and the two were comparable in strength. Even as a Menial Disciple, joining was by no means simple.
Chu Shaoye had not expected such a turn of fortune. After a brief moment of surprise, he agreed at once.
Although Chu Qingyao and Chu Qingyu had never heard of Crimson Firmament Sect, since it came recommended by the Aptitude Examiner, it was naturally a good place to go. Their disappointment was swept away, and they rejoiced for Chu Shaoye instead.
Now he had somewhere to go, too.
The town mayor had paper and brush brought over, and the Aptitude Examiner immediately wrote a letter of recommendation, stamped it with his personal seal, and handed it to Chu Shaoye.
Chu Shaoye accepted it with both hands and carefully tucked the letter inside his robes.
Chu Wangshan was deeply moved. He did not know how to speak polite platitudes, so he simply kept thanking the Aptitude Examiner over and over.
The Aptitude Examiner waved his hand. He had not done all this entirely out of selflessness. Aside from his genuine appreciation of Chu Shaoye, given Chu Qingyao’s and Chu Qingyu’s aptitude, so long as they did not perish prematurely, they were bound to achieve something in the future; by doing this, he was also forming a good karmic bond in advance.
The town mayor wanted to host an evening banquet for the Aptitude Examiner and the group from Chu Family Village, but the examiner was in a hurry to return to the Spirit Lord Association to report on his duty, so he politely declined. This story is hosted at NovelPing.
Before leaving, the Aptitude Examiner said, “This year, the overall aptitude of Qingwu Town’s children is quite good, especially those from Chu Family Village. After I return, I will explain the situation to Zhuyu Academy and see if more places can be allotted to Qingwu Town in the future.”
The town mayor was overjoyed, never having expected such good fortune, and hurriedly thanked the Aptitude Examiner again and again.
After seeing the Aptitude Examiner off, Chu Wangshan also politely declined the town mayor’s invitation. “I still have to take the children back to the village. Their parents are all waiting, and if we return late, I’m afraid they will worry.”
Although he was an honest man, he had been village chief for many years and was no fool; he knew why the town mayor was being so attentive. “Town Mayor, rest assured, my children and Qingyu are all good children. They will not forget their roots.”
With those words from him, the town mayor felt much relieved and personally saw the people of Chu Family Village out of town.
After taking leave of the town mayor, Chu Wangshan led the children onto the ox cart. In their village, only Chu Shaoye and the two girls possessed Spirit Lord Aptitude, and by comparison, the other children could not help feeling somewhat downcast.
Chu Wangshan chuckled and comforted them, “There are millions upon millions of people in this world—can everyone become a Spirit Lord? Look at me, your village chief. Although I have Dahuang, Dahuang usually just helps me plow the fields and pull the cart. My days are no different from anyone else’s in the village.”
“Everyone has their own lot in life. Your mothers and fathers are all waiting at home. We parents do not ask for our children to achieve great things; so long as you are healthy and happy, that is enough.”
Chu Wangshan pulled an oil-paper parcel from his robes and handed it to Chu Qingyao. “Yaoyao, go divide these up among everyone—one piece for each person.”
This was the White Cloud Cake he had found a moment to buy from a snack stall earlier. They were all still children, after all; a tasty treat was enough to coax them into good spirits.
Chu Qingyao opened the oil-paper parcel; inside were eight pieces, just enough for her to hand one to each person, including herself and Chu Shaoye.
White Cloud Cake was made with white kidney beans as the main ingredient. Once the beans were steamed, the skins were strained out through gauze, and the resulting bean paste was mixed with an appropriate amount of honey into a dough, pressed into molds to take shape, and finished with a sprinkling of white sesame seeds on top.
The White Cloud Cake was soft, fragrant, and sweet, melting in the mouth. The village children rarely got to eat such delicate pastries, so they cupped them carefully in their hands and ate them in tiny bites, afraid of wasting even a crumb.
Children’s moods come quickly and pass just as quickly. After eating the pastries, their spirits lifted considerably; smiles returned to their faces, and they offered their congratulations to the three of them.
Chu Family Village had produced three Spirit Lords all at once, and as fellow villagers, they shared in the honor. From now on, their Chu Family Village would be something truly special, and the other villages would surely envy them to no end.